THE BASQUE HAS EARNED OWNERSHIP
The clause that Iñigo Martínez must meet to renew with Barça
Published:10/10/2024 - 18:58h
Updated:12/10/2024 - 15:08h
Iñigo Martínez is very close to renewing his contract with FC Barcelona. The Basque has a contract until 2025, but has a clause for an additional season
Iñigo Martínez's situation at FC Barcelona has taken a 180 degree turn since the arrival of Hansi Flick to the culé bench. The Basque was one of the discards indicated by the previous coaching staff and, due to the club's financial problems, the board also had him on its list of possible sales. However, the one from Ondarroa stayed away from the rumors, working hard to fully recover from the problems with his right foot that he suffered last year.
Since the preseason, the '5' convinced the new Barça coach with his professionalism and leadership on the field. The long-term losses of Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen left Barça short of replacements at the back and the former Athletic Club centre-back ended up earning the position, already being a fixture in the Heidelberg coach's XI alongside Pau Cubarsí. In this way, Iñigo has his renewal well underway, in accordance with the clause established in his contract.
Iñigo Martínez, much closer to staying in Barcelona until 2026
The 33-year-old player signed in 2023 as a free agent for two seasons, with the option of one more year if he plays 60% of the official matches. So far, the '5' has been a starter in eight of the nine LaLiga games (he rested against Osasuna) and has also been in the lineup for the two Champions League games. Martínez accumulates 876 minutes of action in 10 appearances in which he managed to make his debut as a scorer and assistant, since last season he had no contributions in attack in 25 games.
Thus, Iñigo, like Robert Lewandowski, can rest easy regarding his future in Barcelona, at least for now. The Basque is showing his best version in recent years and, waiting for the returns of Araújo and Christensen between December and January, he aims to fight to remain as Pau Cubarsí's squire, with whom he has managed to understand very well. Barça has only conceded 4 goals in the 7 League games in which both have started, while, when the '5' was a substitute, they were beaten in Pamplona (4-2).
